‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Cast Statement in Support of James Gunn Draws Mixed Reactions

The stars of Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy franchise issued a joint statement Monday in defense of fired series writer-director James Gunn, drawing mixed response on social media.

Gunn, who was fired from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 directing duties by Disney earlier this month after past offensive tweets resurfaced on Twitter, has the “full support” of the Guardians cast.

“We were all shocked by his abrupt firing last week and have intentionally waited these ten days to respond in order to think, pray, listen, and discuss,” the statement reads. “In that time, we've been encouraged by the outpouring of support from fans and members of the media who wish to see James reinstated as director of Volume 3 as well as discouraged by those so easily duped into believing the many outlandish conspiracy theories surrounding him.”

The stars aimed to express their “love, support, and gratitude” for Gunn, adding they “are not here to defend his jokes of many years ago but rather to share our experience having spent many years together on set making Guardians of the Galaxy 1 and 2.”

“In casting each of us to help him tell the story of misfits who find redemption, he changed our lives forever,” the statement continues. “We believe the theme of redemption has never been more relevant than now.”

Rooker, a longtime close friend of Gunn’s, quit Twitter entirely following the firing. Bautista has since championed Gunn’s reinstatement to the director’s chair and a petition launched by fans lobbying for a reversal of Disney’s decision has been signed more than 300,000 times.

Gunn’s swift firing came from Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn, who condemned the “offensive attitudes and statements” in Gunn’s social media history, calling the tweets “indefensible and inconsistent with our studio’s values.”

Speaking to Buzzfeed last May ahead of the release of Vol. 2, Gunn said working on the franchise forced him “into a much deeper way of thinking about... my relationship to people.”

“I was a very nasty guy on Twitter. It was a lot f—ing edgy, in-your-face, dirty stuff. I suddenly was working for Marvel and Disney, and that didn't seem like something I could do anymore,” Gunn said. He explained his time on the franchise made him more “sensitive” and “positive.”

“I mean, I really do love people. And by not having jokes to make about whatever was that offensive topic of the week, that forced me into just being who I really was, which was a pretty positive person,” Gunn said. “It felt like a relief."

“...Part of the Problem”

Child rape is no joke Zoe, and no children cannot consent to sex. Anyone defending jokes about sex with children is part of the problem. #RapeCulture#TimesUp#MeToo

We Are Groot

well said. its also disgusting that they outright fired him, they hired him have to had known that these comments were out there. also the guy who brought them back to light has posted some horrendous shit. Thank you for this.

Past Mistakes

The age isn't the point, it's the fact that he has grown the past DECADE. He also apologized publicly years ago for it before he was hired by Disney so that shows growth also. What's the point in change if your past is thrown at you all the time?

tw// pedophilia, sexual assault---fuck james gunn and fuck anyone who supports him. defending what he did and saying he should be reinstated is damaging and shows how little y’all care about anyone who has been a victim of pedophilic sexual assault

Reminder James Gunn has over 10,000 deleted tweets and none of them are simply “jokes”. He made racist sexist and pedophilic comments. OVER 10,000. his age isn’t an excuse as he’s a 40 year old man when he made them. He’s a disgusting pedophile and deserves more then what he got

look i absolutely support the idea that people change & grow & are different from who they used to be etc BUT1)james gunn was a whole ass adult, not a teenager, and completely aware of what he was doing2)not punishing his behavior will further perpetuate p*dophilia/r*pe culture

The whole cast of Guardians of the Galaxy should of shut up and stayed quiet through this, they all sound annoying and they’re aren’t helping at all. “I don’t agree with what James Gunn said at all, but he should come back to direct us in GOTG3” like what? Just shut up

Those For

The Guardians Of The Galaxy cast knows James Gunn. None of you all do. Clearly he’s a good guy if they are risking their careers to support him. They aren’t defending the jokes. But everybody messes up. Everyone does some pretty bad things.

a fucking reminder that the only reason james gunn was “exposed” was because an alt-right nazi group wanted to ruin his career because of how liberal and vocal he was against trump, racism, homophobia, sexism, etc. y’all added to the fire. you fucking helped alt-right win

the guardians of the galaxy cast do not deserve to be dragged because they are defending james gunn. they obviously loved working with him, and they probably wanted to be directed by him since it is going to be the last guardians movie. it isn’t their fault.

What Comes Next

Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige has yet to issue comment on the firing. Gunn was previously set to shepherd the cosmic side of the shared Marvel Cinematic Universe in addition to creative duties on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which Marvel intended for a January 2019 shooting start ahead of a 2020 release.